Infographic: Road to Brexit

SME charts the often turbulent course of Britain’s relationship with the European Union, from being rejected from joining the Common Market in 1963 through to potential Brexit in 2016.

From Charles de Gaulle vetoing Britain’s first attempt to join the Common Market in 1963 to tensions over France’s ban on British beef during the ‘mad cow’ disease outbreak in 1999, it’s fair to say Britain’s relationship with the European Union has been turbulent at best. And with the UK public due to vote on an in/out referendum on EU membership in June 2016, there’s no sign of stability any time soon.

This infographic provides a timeline of the UK’s sometimes tempestuous relationship with the EU to asses where key decisions have been made and the critical junctures that are likely to occur over the coming months.